Look after your foundation doctors

Abstract

Background/aims: This article reports on the career choice of foundation doctors going through a local foundation programme and whether they planned to take an F3 year. The authors also prospectively gathered views relating to their career choice and the need for an F3 year.

Method: Data were gathered from 193 foundation doctors training in Nottinghamshire between 2015 and 2020 through an unstructured interview process. Data were anonymised and used to learn about career pathway choices and whether they planned to take an F3 year option. Reasons for this pathway were also explored.

Results: Data showed that there was a steady increase in the proportion of trainees opting for F3 over time.

Conclusions: The local picture in terms of trainees taking an F3 option reflects the national trend. Some trainees find foundation training a stressful time and so need to be offered support. The authors comment on the factors that make a career appealing to trainees.